Brazil government confirms increase in Amazon deforestation

Deforestation in the Amazon increased by nearly a third over the past year, according to Brazilian government figures released on Thursday. This huge rise is blamed on relaxation of environment laws.

The Amazon rainforest is considered one of the world’s most important natural defences against global warming because of its capacity to absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide.

At a news conference on in the capital Brasilia, Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira called the increased rate of deforestation “unacceptable” if it’s tied to illegal activity.